On a typical day she would consume almost 4,000 calories — double the
recommended amount for women.

She says: “I could choose whatever I wanted off the menu.

“I loved the Big Macs and Chicken McNuggets so I’d choose these with a
McFlurry dessert, washed down with Irn-Bru, the fizzy drink sold in some
McDonald’s in Scotland.”

A typical breakfast would be a sausage and egg McMuffin with large fries and
for elevenses she would have an ice cream cone with a flake. Lunch would be
a Big Mac or Quarter Pounder with fries and a Coke.

During her second break, Stephanie would enjoy a McFlurry ice cream.

She says: “Even when I wasn’t working, I’d ditch Mum’s home-cooking and pop in
to buy a Quarter Pounder meal.

“Nothing tasted as good as a burger and chips. Within a few months I was
completely addicted to junk food.

“Sometimes I’d sit down to dinner with my mum but still crave the taste of
fast food so I’d get chips later in the evening.

And with every portion of chips, the weight piled onto Stephanie’s hips.

In July 2007, just over a year after she began working at the fast food giant,
Stephanie met Fraser Lawson, 25, a nurse.

While Fraser didn’t care about her size, the more weight she gained, the more
insecure Stephanie felt about their relationship.

Stephanie recalls: “I was so unhappy with how I looked it really knocked my
confidence.

“Because I was so miserable, I’d eat junk food for comfort. It was a vicious
circle. After two years, aged 18, I was made manager but I’d piled on 5st
and had to wear the men’s uniforms in an extra-large size because the
ladies’ uniform didn’t fit.

“It was so embarrassing but I couldn’t stop eating.

“I would crave the salty chips and burgers as soon as I woke up.”

Stephanie feared she’d never be able to leave McDonald’s and says: “I didn’t
get any jobs I applied for because my lack of confidence came across in
interviews.”

In January last year things came to a head when Stephanie’s periods stopped.
Her doctor said her obesity had interfered with her cycle and her unhealthy
fast food diet was contributing to her overall bad health.

She says: “When my periods stopped I never thought it would be down to the
fast food but when the doctor told me I could be infertile by 20, I was
terrified.

“He also explained my mood swings had been caused by the constant surge and
drop in my blood sugar levels caused by eating so much junk food. It was the
wake-up call that I needed to change my lifestyle.

“Fraser and I had talked about having children one day and I wanted a family
more than anything.

“I really put my mind to the dieting when I joined Scottish Slimmers. By my
21st birthday in July 2011, I’d lost 2½st.”

To add to her joy, Fraser took her away to a lodge for a long weekend — and
proposed.

Stephanie says: “It was really romantic but the best part was, during that
weekend my periods came back so I knew we could have a family.”

Now Stephanie weighs 10st 7lb, wears a size ten and is looking forward to a
bright future. Stephanie, who admits she was naive not to realise the toll
her fast food lifestyle would take on her body, says: “I haven’t had a
McDonald’s meal since I left. And I have no desire for one.

“After being told I might not have kids, the thought of eating another
McDonald’s doesn’t appeal to me at all.

“I still can’t believe I allowed myself to get into that state and gain more
than 8st. It’s worrying how quickly you pile on the weight eating junk food.”

Now Stephanie can’t wait to have a big white wedding to Fraser and the couple
are excitedly planning to tie the knot in the summer of 2014.

She says: “I would never have planned my wedding if I was a size 24 as I would
have hated squeezing into dresses.

“I don’t have to worry about whether I’ll be able to find a dress that fits.

“Now I’m excited instead of petrified about walking down the aisle on my
wedding day.”

myView

By CAROL COOPER Sun Doctor

AS Stephanie’s daily intake was twice what she required, she could well have
gained a pound every couple of days.

Excess fat is packed with a mix of hormones that can harm your health, like
cytokines. That’s why obesity is linked with diabetes, high cholesterol
levels, heart disease and even some cancers.

Being very overweight can also lead to high blood pressure and period
problems, as Stephanie discovered.

When this happens, ovulation can become irregular or even stop (though you
can’t actually rely on it as a contraceptive).

There’s nothing wrong with the occasional trip to a fast food outlet but it
can easily become a way of life.